Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 59 Ava: Homecoming (I)

When | walk downstairs, Phoenix is hanging up the phone. It strikeshow much I've changed when | realize |

have no curiosity, no spark to ask who he was talking to.

I don't care.

It's either related toin a way that isn't going to be pleasant, or it will have nothing to do with me. That's it.

Those are the two options.

| have no urge to grow closer to the asshole who shares my genetics, so | don't ask.

Instead, | plan.

| won't be able to escape right away. I'm not even sure how | can escape. | have no money, no phone, no contact

with the outside world. But now that I've been out there? Now that I've been on my own?

It doesn't seem as impossible as it did when | lived here.

If I just have a chance, I'll take it.

"Sof the guys will be coming by to watch over you," Phoenix announces, coming by to sniff at me. "Don't

start anything. There's plenty in the fridge, so just make something for dinner. Don't forget that Alpha Renard is

coming."

Hah. So not only have | been dragged home, now | have to make them dinner?

No, thank you.

| ignore Phoenix to plop down on the worn couch, reaching for the remote. The soft fabric smells like the artificial

scent of clean linen. A scent I've grown to despise over the years.

Phoenix lingers nearby, his frown deepening as | lazily flip through channels. | can feel the weight of his gaze,

disapproval radiating off him in waves. He's struggling, | can tell. Part of him wants to chewout like the

disappointment | am. The other part is trying to play nice, to lullinto a false sense of security for whatever

twisted ghe's playing.

| don't give him the satisfaction of acknowledging either side. My eyes remain glued to the TV as | rapidly cycle

through channels, a kaleidoscope of colors and noise filling the living room.

Then, a familiar scene catches my eye. A hunky male lead with tousled hair and a roguish grin. The over-the-top

soundtrack swelling with orchestral passion as the camera pans over his chiseled torso.

It's the scheesy shifter romance Selene had been obsessed with at the apartment.

The ache in my chest sharpens as | take it all in, judging it clinically in my head to try to stop the feelings from

overwhelming my heart. Terrible acting. Melotic plot. Cringeworthy dialogue. A lump forms in my throat,

grief threatening to overwhelm me.

On the screen, the alpha hero cups the face of his trembling omega mate, his eyes smoldering with an intensity

that could set the screen on fire. "I will never choose her," he growls, his voice a deep rumble that is probably

sending thousands of women across the country into a tic swoon. "And | will never let you go."

| nearly choke on a bitter laugh. If only my life was as simple as worrying that my mate would want another

woman.

A sharp knock sounds on the door. | try not to tense as Phoenix opens the door, but my body betrays me. The

scent of a familiar, nausea-inducing wolf washes over me, thick and musky with undertones of sweat and

aggression. My heart pounds against my ribcage as if begging to be let out.

Todd Mason steps inside first, his eyes immediately findingon the couch. A slow, predatory smile stretches

across his face as he rakes his gaze over me. | fight back a shudder, memories of his cruel hands on my body

making my skin crawl. | can smell the tuna on his breath from here, courtesy of the tuna sandwich for he eats for

lunch every day.

It's one of my least favorite smells now. | can't even think about tuna without gagging.

"Well, well," he rumbles, never taking his eyes off me. "If it isn't little Ava Grey, back where she belongs."

The other two shifters flank him, their leering stares just as unsettling. | swallow hard, my mouth dry, as Phoenix

turns to face them.

"Keep your hands off her unless it's absolutely necessary," he warns, his tone hard. "Alpha Renard will be here

soon for dinner. | don't need any issues before then."

Mason's smile only widens at the threat, and he gives a lazy shrug. "Whatever you say, Phoenix. We'll be perfect

little angels."

His gaze drifts back to me, and | force myself to meet it head-on, refusing to show fear. A muscle in his jaw ticks,

and | know he can smell my discomfort no matter how much I try to hide it.

"Don't worry, princess," he drawls, taking a step closer. "We're just here to make sure you don't try to run off

again. Can't have our alpha's prize getting loose, now can we?"

Phoenix shifts his stance, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "That's enough, Mason. | mean it."

But Mason doesn't seem fazed. He holds my stare for a beat longer, his eyes glittering with dark promise, before

finally turning away with a scoff.

"Yeah, yeah. | got it." He jerks his head at the others. "Let's get settled, boys. Looks like we're in for a fun night of

babysitting."

They spread out through the living room, claiming spots on the armchairs and couch like they own the place. |

curl my legs beneath me, pressing back against the cushions as if | can somehow disappear into them.

Todd, of course, takes the couch. He's on the far side of it, but only a cushion separates us, and his arm is

relaxed on the back of it, his fingers close enough to brush against my hair.

Phoenix shootsone last look—a silent warning to behave—before heading out the front door. As soon as he's

out of sight, Mason's eyes findagain, that scruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

| take a shaky breath, wrapping my arms around myself. This was exactly what | was afraid of—being trapped

here, surrounded by people who want to use me, to hurt me. My only solace is the knowledge that Selene is

safe.

| just have to endure this, for now.

"Aren't you supposed to be making dinner?" Todd asks, and | point at the TV, trying my best to ignore how his

fingers lightly graze over my shoulder. | can't shift any further away.

"I'm watching this," | say, leaving it at that.

| can see the shifters all glancing at each other, and the faint puzzled look that flashes across Todd's face.

They're not used tobeing this way.

It feels good.

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